Cheryl Murphy, ’88, with Zita Fleming, CSJ.

Zita Fleming, CSJ:

Recipient of Martin Luther King Legacy Award

by Mary Ellen O’Connell

 On February 2, 2026, Cheryl Murphy, BSN, RN, class of 1988, presented Zita Fleming, CSJ, with the Martin Luther King Legacy Award. This honor, instituted by Regis College, celebrates past or present students and staff members who exemplify the principles Dr. King so powerfully demonstrated throughout his lifetime.   

At the event, Cheryl Murphy shared some thoughts on Sister Zita’s impact at Regis, saying, “Sister Zita’s life and work embody the principles of justice, courage, inclusion and transformative social change championed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Her unwavering commitment to education, advocacy, and the dignity of every human person has profoundly shaped institutions, communities and generations of students… Education under her leadership was holistic, emphasizing intellectual growth alongside social awareness, ethical responsibility, and spiritual development.” 

To supplement Cheryl Murphy’s words, during her days at Regis, Sister Zita enriched the lives of others as she called forth dignity and respect through her teaching at various levels of education, her work as Regis College as Dean of Students, her Leadership in the AIDS Ministry in the Archdiocese of Boston. She furthers this commitment to the present day through her involvement with committees and social action activities. As evidenced by the response of those present, Sister Zita was a perfect recipient of this award.